Social Organization and Aggression Problems in Horses Flashcards
describe a herd
- affiliated group in large geographical area with overlapping home ranges
- half female, half male
- territory: geographic area actively defended against non-group members
-horses are not territorial, but DONKEYS ARE
describe harem (natal) bands
- stable group of 3 or more adult horses
- 4-20 horses, only 1-2 stallion
- 3-8 mares on average
- offspring up to 2 years old
describe bachelor groups
- 2-8 stallions
- membership is fluid
-up to 5-6 years old
-prior to establishing own bands
what is the big difference between wild horses and horses in captivity?
in the wild horses are never in isolation!!
in captivity we stick them in stalls
describe agonistic behaviors of horses
offensive threats:
-stare, bite threats, ears back, arched neck, head movement toward head, neck, or shoulder, chasing
-rearing, kicking, biting, boxing, circling, mounting, overmarking
submission:
-lowering head, ears, hindquarters, jaw chomping, defensive kicks, flight or running away
-balking: turning head away, leaning away
-subordinate stallions have shorter squeals that begin at lower frequency and stallions tend to challenge based on sound of squeal
describe intraspecies aggression in horses
most aggression consists of threats (66-80%) within a stable social group
-bite or bite threat
-head bump
-kick or kick threat
describe domestic horse management
- geldings:
-bachelor groups
-lack of cohesion with mares - social isolation:
-distress calls
-increased agitation - movement of individuals:
-constant introduction of newcomers - stallions separated from mares
describe how horses respond to social isolation
- isolated horses compared to horses with auditory, visual, or tactile contact with other horses
-spend 10% less time eating
-three times more active - physiologic stress reactions increase with time spent in isolation
what results in serious injuries due to intraspecies aggression in horses in captivity?
- lack of socialization:
-foals raised in isolation - changes in housing management
- breed differences:
-risk of injuries 4x higher in TB, arabs, WBs
describe management strategies to improve safety
- paddocks:
-rounded corners
-structures for visual screening - place water and feeding stations away from corners: avoid close proximity of horses
- wire partitions along feeding trough
describe prevention of intraspecies aggression
- larger spaces
- provide forage
- smaller groups
- minimize new introductions
- gradual introductions
- caution:
-estrus mares
-mares with foals
describe intra species aggression classification
- dominance or status related: not as common
- intermale: more common
- pain-elicited
- instrumental (learned)
- medical causes
- irritable
- play aggression
- protection of food, foal, or self
-resource guarding
-maternal aggression
-fear-induced - redirected aggression
describe intermale aggression in the wild
- harem stallions from neighboring bands
-not related to territory or presence of mares or foals - ritualized signaling: stare, defecation, olfactory investigations, squeals, treats, biting, kicking
how to control intermale aggression
- castration prior to onset of aggression is 70-80% successful
- castration after onset of aggression is 40% successful
describe irritable aggression
- associated with physical or mental discomfort
- difficulty training
- hyperexcitability
- kicking, squealing, tail swishing
- frequent urination
- investigate for sources of discomfort:
-lameness exam
-dental exam
-urinary infections
-repro issues: estrus cycle (painful ovulation, vaginitis, endometritis, granuloma cell ovarian tumors)
-environmental stimuli
describe instrumental aggression
- negative or positive reinforcement of aggressive behaviors
-rearing resulting in dismount
-biting at equipment while in crossties resulting in attention or going back to stall
-bite threat resulting in person moving away
describe how to treat resource guarding
- in pasture-fed horses
-increase number of feeders per horse
-place feeders on ground
-increase distance between feeders (min 1.5 meters) - stall-fed horses:
-human approach only if horse has ears forward or neutral
-gradual desensitization with small feed portions
describe fear induced aggression
postures consistent with fear due to
1. unable to escape
2. exposure to novelty
3. handling
treat with:
1. desensitization
2. positive reinforcement training
3. counter-conditioning
describe redirected aggression
horses frustrated, agitated, frightened, of target stimulus redirect aggression toward nearby person or horse
ex. horse at shows exposed to stressful stimuli that bite owner
why should we reduce stress for veterinary visits? (4)
- reduce injuries to humans and animals
- improve accuracy of examination and laboratory results
- improve health and wellbeing of patients
- earn clients’ trust and commitment
describe the freeze response in horses
- freeze:
-alert vigilance
-decreased interaction
-tachycardia
-teeth grinding
-eyes closed
-interpreted as compliance!! but stressed!!
describe signs of stress
- eyes:
-dilated pupils
-sclera visible
-arched or wrinkled upper lids - ears:
-very alert, forward
-pinned back - mouth:
-pointed chin
-tense lips
-licking, chewing motion - nostrils:
-wrinkles above nostrils
-movement with breaths
describe sensory consideratons for horses
- sight:
-slower visual accommodation: light to dark or vice versa is hard
-limited color spectrum
-limited depth perception
-use blue and yellow equipment and allow time for horse to adjust to light and explore new equipment - sounds:
-loud sudden noises = harsh
-distress calls
-use ear puffs, nets, plugs, or muffs, avoid loud machinery, sound machine or fan to block out other noises, species-specific music - smells:
-pheremones
-chemical
-lavender oil, confidence EQ - taste:
-preferred taste
-hunger - tactile:
-footing
-touch
-continuous contact when handling, give fidgety horse and toy to hold - social:
-removal from herd
-new animals
-bring herd mate or bonded animal to appointment
describe the appropriate flow of examinations of horses
- familiar person should catch and halter horse
- approach from side
- touch shoulder or withers first
- allow patient to sniff
- keep hand on patient as you move
describe protected contact and advantages
- safety barriers, stall doors, fences, stocks
- patient can opt out of procedure
describe equipment considerations for horses
- reduce needle size
- local anesthetics
-lidocaine gel: nostrils, rectum
-nerve blocks: skin and eye procedures - quiet buckets:
-rubber handles and bucket bottoms
-wrap metals with vet wrap - hoof testers with rubber handles
describe use of twitches
- emergencies only
- nose or neck, never ear twitch
- 5-10 min maximum; set timer!
describe use of pre-visit medications
- extra-label
- performance horse restrictions: withdrawal times
- safety:
-ataxia during trailering
-age
-health - address pain:
-anti-inflam unless contraindicated (lameness exam) - use:
-detomidine gel: alpha-2-adrenergic agonist, takes 30-40 min to effect
-buprenorphne: opioid in injectable form, sublingual, takes 45-60 min to effect
-trazodone: 1 hour to effect
-gabapentin: poor bioavailability
-benzodiazepines: not always reliable
-acepromazine: no anxiolysis - test doses ahead of time:
-avoid paradoxical reactions
-inadequate dose
-oversedation
-time to effect
-duration - supplements:
-confidence EQ: synthetic equine maternal pheremone gel
-zylkene: alpha-cazosepine powder
-tryptophan does nothing!
describe cooperative care
training animal to participate in husbandry and veterinary practices in positive manner
-move at horse’s pace
-positive reinforcement
-use clicker or tongue click to bridge or mark
describe the process of cooperative care
- foundation behavior:
-standing in neutral position; this is default position - targeting:
-nose, hoof, body part - stationing on object
-leg lifting or placing foot
describe uses of cooperative care
- venipuncture
- intramuscular injections
- taking oral meds
- rectal thermometer
- oral or ocular medication
AKA anything
